Officials are warning residents to be vigilant as former Sikron Alfred leaves more than 330,000 homes and unpowered businesses.
Tropical Cyclone Alfred has weakened by a tropical cyclone system, but authorities warned that the storm could cause severe winds and flooding on Australia’s east coast.
The cyclone, which weakened early Saturday, traveled overnight on an island off the coast of Queensland and is now heading towards the mainland, the weather department said.
“The heavy, heavy rainfall leading to flashes and river flooding is now of great concern as former tropical Cyclone Alfred moves inland,” said Meteorological Bureau Manager Matt Colopy.
Alfred smeared more than 150,000 homes and businesses black, urging orders for evacuation of thousands of people. No previous deaths have been reported, but authorities are urging residents to stay indoors.
“The impact is already felt, and it’s even worse to come in the next few hours,” Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said at a press conference from the National Situation Office in Canberra.
It was expected since 1974 to be the first cyclone to cross the East Australian coast near the capital of Brisbane, Queensland.
Cyclones are common in the tropical northern part of Queensland, but are rare in the mild, dense southeastern corner of the state bordering New South Wales.
Thousands of powerless people
Brisbane Airport remains closed and the city has suspended public transport. More than 1,000 schools in southeast Queensland and 280 schools in northern New South Wales (NSW) have been closed.
More than 330,000 homes and businesses lost power on both sides of the NSW and Queensland border, the majority of the Gold Coast, which recorded the strongest gusts of wind at 107 km/h (66 mph) on Friday night.
Of these, 291,000 facilities are in Queensland, including 131,000 on the Gold Coast, officials said. Another 45,000 people were out of power in New South Wales.
Power lines, homes and cars were damaged by dropping trees throughout the area on Friday night.
One man was still missing the previous day after a four-wheel drive vehicle was blown off a bridge into a rainy river in northern New South Wales.
“It’s been downgraded, but there are still very serious risks, so it’s important that people don’t receive this downgrade as a reason for their self-satisfaction,” Prime Minister Albanese said.
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